Healthcare Communication Exam Preparation

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing healthcare communication principles, Kübler-Ross's stages of dying, and cultural competence.

Sender/Receiver Process

A communication sequence whose main elements consist of a message (verbal and nonverbal), a source, and a receiver.

Negative Communication

Communication behaviors that hinder patient interactions, such as speaking sharply or brusquely, showing boredom, treating patients impersonally, or forgetting common courtesies.

Positive Communication

Interaction behaviors that encourage effective care, such as looking directly at patients when speaking to them, listening carefully, being friendly and warm, and keeping quiet when appropriate.

Empathy

The ability to identify with someone else's feelings.

Personal Space

The physical distance maintained in a healthcare environment, which is approximately 1 to 4 feet.

Open Posture

A nonverbal position that conveys openness during patient communication, achieved by leaning forward in your chair facing the patient.

Bargaining

One of Kübler-Ross's stages of dying in which a terminally ill patient negotiates for time or specific goals, such as asking for help to reach a family milestone before getting too sick.

Cultural Competence

A healthcare practice of avoiding directive statements like "You must . . ."; instead teaching patients their options and letting them decide (e.g., "Some people in this situation would . . .").

Consequences of Poor Communication

Adverse outcomes stemming from ineffective communication, including billing errors, inefficient care, malpractice, and anxiety, while excluding patient satisfaction.

Coworker Relationships

Professional workplace interactions built on professionalism, cooperation, and integrity, which exclude negative factors such as gossip and stress.